The harps of Revelation are indeed symbolic of praise, sweet music, and jubilation. In Revelation 5:8 the 24 Elders represent the saints of all ages. From both the old and new testaments(12 tribes + 12 apostles=24 Elders). Because of what the Lamb did for them, they are singing and performing songs of jubilee for the ears of God!

In Revelation 14:2 it's sweet music and in 15:2, I believe God gave them tunes to compose(weather with or without accompaniment).

However, I don't think the Harp represents singing per se. But praise in general(which can include singing). This seems to agree more with OT usage.

regards, R.J.

Both adontes and psallantes are connected by a conjunction with two common modifiers(heart and the Lord). In other words, both the singing and music making equally take place in the heart!

The previous participle (lalontes=communicating) is an external audible activity done for the benefit of others(through the full range of religious expression). And in reality, we'll be singing and making music from our hearts(internally) for the benefit of God's ears. The latter two participles modify the former. So the heart is not a musical instrument but merely the sphere. And neither does it have to stay in the heart.

Also these are Greek participles, not commands. They only describe the results of being filled by the spirit. According to Daniel Wallas, implied imperative participles don't exist in Greek like they do in English. These five modifiers(nor the ones in Colossians 3:16) should be read as regulations.

All in the context of daily lifestyle(not the assembly as in 1 Corinthians 14).

God Bless, R.J.

If you tell someone to "psallo" a "bow" then it is the literal heart being abraded.

If you tell someone to "psallo" a lyre (finger only, please) then you make it twang: a twang does not music make.

Psallo is always translated to SING in the Greek Old Testament.

If you want to sing AND play AND upon an instrument it takes three words.

Amos 5:23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
Amos 5:24 BUT let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

Is. 23:15 And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot.

Which goes:

Is. 23:16 (1) Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; (2) make sweet melody, (3) sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.

If you grasp that ekklesia/synagogue is A School of the Word the fight is over.

Ado generally means "to sing" or "I sing". Again singing with an instrument or not is irrelevant to the meaning of the word.

Now about Ephesians 5:19 the grammatical structure is 5 adjective participles all linked to a passive present command to "Be filled with the Spirit".

By their nature participles(and adjectives) were never meant to specify and regulate how something ought to be done. But rather describe what happens when we let the Holy Spirit's word control our lives. Colossians 3:16 is pretty much a parallel to this text.

Thus I believe the instrument is nothing more then an expedient(material opinion). As long as it doesn't substitute singing(Classical music is not true worship).

The Lord's Church has been divided on this issue for too long. I pray and plead for the two to become one.

Regarding “sing only”, I answered this on [HistoryGuy, on July 13th, 2009 at 6:08 pm] I didn’t expect such semantics from a person of your knowledge. In addition to the OT examples, the NT does not say immerse believers only (Mk. 16:16) or faith only (Eph. 2:8), etc, etc but that is what is meant. One would normally ask if you are advocating the sprinkling of a baby and salvation by faith + works, but I will not participate in such a style of conversation.

The role of women, their symbols of submission, and the numerous other questions are not tangents that I am interested in pursuing. I am confident that you know the scriptures that authorize such activities. If you don’t then the only thing proved is that you lack authority not only for the instrument, but many other practices and you should stop. I am not concerned with what the church of Christ denomination does, but I enjoy the a cappella discussion.

Even in Neh. 12, only the Levites and priests [priests are just a class of Levites] played instruments (Neh. 12:27-29, 35-36) and offered the sacrifices on the altar (v40-47). Normally, only the Levites sang and played [I & II Chron.]. Because of the resettling of the land, theocracy, national celebration, and Temple dedication, this is a merged environment where two choirs were organized and everyone was welcomed to sing (Neh. 12:43; Ezra 3:10-13). This is a rare event and the Levite singers were still present to lead the singing (Neh. 12:28). The inclusion for everyone to sing was at the command of the Lord through his chosen leader (Neh. 12:31).

Anything performed in the Temple/Tabernacle worship was always at the “command of David”, “according to the Law”, “according to the daily requirement”, “as in the day of David and Asaph”, etc. Though everyone was singing, only the Aaronic priest [a type of Levite] played the trumpets, which was according to what was spoken to Moses (Neh. 12:35-36, 41, 44; Nm. 10:1-10) and only the Levites played the cymbals, harps and lyres [the instruments] (Neh. 12:27). A commentary might assist your understanding of the others named in the text and their function.

I enjoy the study of instruments in the OT, but I would like to return to Greek words and Revelation.

Nehemia 12:31-36 “So I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and appointed two large thanksgiving choirs. One went to the right hand on the wall toward the Refuse Gate. After them went Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah, and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, and some of the priests' sons with trumpets–Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, and his brethren, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. Ezra the scribe went before them.”

Nehemiah 40-42 “So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God, likewise I and the half of the rulers with me; and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Minjamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers sang loudly with Jezrahiah the director."